Janet Planet

2023

Action / Drama

5
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 47% · 141 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 47% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.1/10 10 3657 3.7K

massachusetts summer woman director 1990s mother daughter relationship intimate

Plot summary

In rural Western Massachusetts, 11-year-old Lacy spends the summer of 1991 at home, enthralled by her own imagination and the attention of her mother, Janet. As the months pass, three visitors enter their orbit, all captivated by Janet.

Director

Annie Baker Photo
Annie Baker

Top cast

Will Patton Photo
Will Patton as Wayne
Elias Koteas Photo
Elias Koteas as Avi
Julianne Nicholson Photo
Julianne Nicholson as Janet
Sophie Okonedo Photo
Sophie Okonedo as Regina
2160p.WEB
5.03 GB
3840*2160
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
N/A
Seeds 15

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by masonfisk 7 / 10

A QUIET GOOD TIME...!

A smallish drama from last year starring Julianne Nicholson & newcomer Zoe Ziegler, playing a mother/daughter navigating the lazy days of summer during the early 90's. Living in a cozy cabin in the woods, the pair while away the days waiting for the new school year to start while also taking care of their romantic needs; mom seems to be unlucky in love as her conveyor belt of lovers (which include Will Patton & Elias Koteas) has left her unsatisfied while Ziegler, seemingly wise beyond the years, does things her own way w/her mom's begrudging acceptance. Not much monumentally happens in this slow burn slice of life as it just exists & we, the audience, just wallow in it which charms in tiny doses in writer/director Annie Baker's effort making this feel like a documentary then something scripted.
Reviewed by jshank20 7 / 10

When we talk about Mothers

"Janet Planet" is a film that unfolds with the quiet, deliberate pace of a long summer afternoon. Directed with a keen eye for the nuances of human emotion, this slice-of-life drama offers a slow-burning reflection on the complexities of loneliness, the self-sabotaging tendencies we often overlook, and the unspoken bond between mothers and their children.Set against the backdrop of a small town, the film centers on the relationship between Janet, a single mother, and her young daughter. What stands out here is the film's refusal to rush or spoon-feed its audience. Instead, it allows moments to linger, characters to breathe, and the silence to speak volumes. It's a style that won't work for everyone-some may find the film's unhurried pace challenging-but for those willing to settle into its rhythm, there's a richness to be found in the small details.*One of the film's strengths is its portrayal of loneliness, not as a plot device, but as a pervasive atmosphere. Janet's isolation is palpable, yet never overly dramatized. The film explores how loneliness can lead to self-sabotage, subtly hinting at the ways Janet undermines her own happiness without resorting to melodrama. Her interactions, or lack thereof, reveal a character who is deeply flawed, yet heartbreakingly human.*The relationship between Janet and her daughter is the film's emotional core. It's a complex dance of love, frustration, and unspoken understanding. The film doesn't offer easy answers about motherhood, instead, it invites us to sit with the discomfort of those moments when love is present, but connection is elusive. There's a poignant honesty in the way the film handles the subject-acknowledging that the role of a mother is fraught with expectations and contradictions, often leaving a trail of unfulfilled desires.*"Janet Planet" is not a film that caters to everyone's tastes. Its slow, methodical approach demands patience, and its understated narrative requires careful attention. Yet, for those who appreciate a film that takes its time to explore the quieter, often overlooked aspects of life, "Janet Planet" offers a thoughtful, introspective experience. It's a film that understands the power of what's left unsaid and the beauty in the mundane. While it may not leave a lasting impression on every viewer, it's a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, much like a half-forgotten memory that occasionally resurfaces, tugging gently at the heart.*
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